Itinerary

Stop for a traditional Irish cooked breakfast with homemade brown bread, sausages and scones. We will stop outside of Dublin in a Country Manor hotel for refreshments.

Beginning on our journey South our first stop of the day will be in Kilkenny.

Kilkenny is undoubtedly the ‘Medieval Capital’ of Ireland with a unique selection of historic sites and buildings from the 17th century onwards. Every street brings something new for the visitor.

Enjoy a guided tour at Kilkenny Castle

Kilkenny Castle has been an important site since Richard de Clare, 2nd Earl of Pembroke, commonly known as Strongbow constructed the first castle, probably a wooden structure, in the 12th century. The Earl Marshall owned large estates in Ireland, England, Wales and France and managed them effectively. He appointed Geoffrey Fitz Robert as seneschal of Leinster and so began a major phase of development in Kilkenny, including the construction of Kilkenny Castle and the agreement of rents and privileges with burgesses or citizens of the borough. The first stone castle on the site was completed in 1213. This was a square-shaped castle with towers at each corner; three of these original four towers survive to this day.

Lunch under own arrangements, with some free time in Kilkenny City.

Continue to Cork and enjoy a panoramic city tour including St. Ann’s Shandon on the hilly slopes of the River Lee.

Continue to your hotel and check in.

Dinner, Bed & Full Irish Breakfast at your hotel in Cork. X 2 nights

Day Two

Full Irish breakfast is served in your hotel each day.

Transfer by coach to the historic harbour town of Cobh, with imposing cathedral overlooking the town

Titanic Walking Trail

We'll walk through the streets and environs of Cobh, revealing locations and incidents directly connected to the Titanic and many other aspects Cork harbour history and Irish heritage. Highlights include: Original buildings, streets and piers associated with Titanic,

The actual pier where Titanic passengers departed from, St. Colmans Cathedral, The Lusitania Peace Memorial, The Titanic Monument, Emigrant, military and maritime history, The story of Spike Island & The Famine, Convict Transportation.

Free for lunch in Cobh town

This afternoon transfer to nearby Fota House for rehearsal.

Fota House is a fabulous regency style great country house situated in East Cork. It has been restored and conserved by the Irish Heritage Trust who are happy to share the magnificent surroundings by way of public guided tours from April to September inclusive. Visitors can discover fascinating insights into the contrasting lives of the masters of a former time and their servants in the original surroundings that shaped their worlds.

Early dinner in a local restaurant

Evening concert with a local secondary school and their award winning choir.

Day Three

Depart and check-out of the Cork Hotel and transfer to Killarney via the prettiest village in Ireland ‘Blarney’

Blarney Castle was built nearly six hundred years ago by one of Ireland's greatest chieftains, Cormac MacCarthy, and has been attracting attention beyond Munster ever since. Over the last few hundred years, millions have flocked to Blarney, making it a world landmark and one of Ireland's greatest treasures. Now that might have something to do with the Blarney Stone, the legendary Stone of Eloquence, foun at the top of our Tower. Kiss it and you'll never again be lost for words.

Followed by free-time at the Woollen Mills

Continue to Killarney town.

The kingdom of Kerry is the home of some of the most majestic and regal scenery in Ireland. The jewel in the crown is Killarney National Park. Celebrated through words and music. Killarney Lakes and Dells are the centrepiece of 25,000 acres of woodlands and mountains providing a magnificent setting.

Arrive early afternoon and visit Muckross House a period house depicting the way of life in the early 1900’s. Enjoy a guided tour of Muckross House.

Dinner and overnight in Killarney Hotel x 2 nights.

Day Four

This morning we depart on a panoramic sight-seeing tour of the Kingdom of Kerry, enjoy touring the towns of Kenmare, Sneem and the mountainous drive through Black Valley and the Lakes of Killarney.

This afternoon travel to the town of Listowel in North Kerry. On arrival enjoy a music workshop arranged with a group of local musicians, story-tellers and Sean-Nos singers. All forms of traditional Irish music will be discussed. Try out the Badhran (native drum) or the piano accordion, try out the Irish flute.

Followed by an evening concert in St Johns Theatre, Listowel (exchange with local musicians)

Return to Killarney for overnight.

Day Five

Following breakfast check-out and travel to Galway via Doolin and the Cliffs of Moher. Comfort Stop in Adare for an early lunch.

Welcome to the picture postcard village of Adare, which is one of Limerick's special places. With thatched roof cottages and Tudor style houses, beautiful gardens and ivy clad medieval churches in beautiful surroundings on both sides of the street beside the river Maigue. For those who want to linger and learn more visit the Heritage centre and step back in time. Choose from a selection of craft shops, coffee shops, pubs and restaurants. Continue northwards to the seaside town of Doolin travelling via the Burren.

Experience Ireland’s most famous vista by sea on a cruise underneath the stunning Cliffs Of Moher. The Cliffs Of Moher rise to a height of over 214 meters (700ft). Our cruise sets out from Doolin Pier and follows the cliffs as they climb to their magnificent height Be ‘awed’ by these epic cliffs and the wildlife that abounds on the ferry with O’Brien Line. Spot migrating birds, whales, dolphins and seals.

Travel to Galway via the Burren, limestone plateau and enjoy the wonderful scenery.

Dinner and overnight in Galway x 2 nights.

Day Six

Following breakfast we depart from Galway and enjoy a full day tour of Connemara including a guided tour to Kylemore Abbey.

"Connemara is a savage beauty", Oscar Wilde

From the rugged Twelve Bens mountain range in the north through lake-rich Roundstone Bog to the golden beaches reaching out into the Atlantic Ocean, you'll know you're in Connemara by the light that constantly changes the mood and tone of the landscape. Connemara has long been regarded as the real emerald of Ireland. This natural terrain and unspoilt environment offers the visitor a wonderland of sights, experiences, adventure and activities. The people are warm, friendly and extend a hospitality which is the essence of Ireland.

The beautiful spring flowers, buds on the trees, newborn lambs dancing on the hills and the call of the cuckoo all make Spring time a very special and magical time in Connemara. This is an ideal time to take a break as the countryside is totally renewed. On mellow Autumn days, one can enjoy the Connemara countryside, now clothed in different colours with each passing day. In the evening enjoy lovely warm turf fires after a day spent walking, cycling, painting, shooting

Set in the heart of the Connemara mountains is the Kylemore Abbey Estate, home of the Irish Benedictine Nuns. Visit the picturesque Abbey (reception rooms, video and exhibition) and enjoy a stroll to the beautifully restored Gothic Church; browse in the craft shop and sample our home cooked food in the restaurant.

Kylemore Abbey's six acre Victorian Walled Garden is the most significant walled garden in the west. A visit to the west of Ireland is not complete without experiencing the beauty and tranquility that is Kylemore Abbey and Garden. Seperate and joint tickets available

Return to Galway for overnight

Dinner in a local restaurant in Galway City

Day Seven

Following breakfast check-out of your hotel and transfer to Dublin stopping enroute in Clonmacnoise.

Visit the Clonmacnoise Interpretive Centre for tour and audio visual.

An early Christian site founded by Saint Ciaran in the 6th Century on the banks of the River Shannon. The site includes the ruins of a cathedral, eight churches (10th – 13th century), two round towers, three high crosses and a large collection of early Christian slabs. The original high crosses and grave slabs are on display in the Visitor Centre. There is an audio-visual show as well as a number of exhibitions.

This afternoon we travel to the Artane School of Music North Dublin where you will be welcomed by the students for friendly exchange.

The Artane School of Music is the home of the world famous Artane Band which was founded in 1872 and has grown and developed to become a centre of excellence in music learning and performance in North Dublin. Students are given the opportunity to develop as musicians and as people while performing locally, nationally and internationally. The Artane Band perform regularly, from parades in small towns around the country, to a packed Croke Park to concerts in the National Concert Hall, and everywhere in-between! The Artane Band is one of the busiest performing groups in Ireland.

Overnight in Dublin x 2 nights

Day Eight

This morning we depart on a half day panoramic sight-seeing tour of Dublin city including a visit to Kilmainham Gaol and Trinity College and the Book of Kells.

Dublin, Ireland’s capital city is steeped in history and buzzing with youthful energy. Medieval, Georgian and Modern styles of architecture provide a backdrop to a friendly bustling port built on the River Liffey.

Kilmainham Gaol is one of the largest unoccupied gaols in Europe, covering some of the most heroic

and tragic events in Ireland's emergence as a modern nation from 1780s to the 1920s. Attractions

include a major exhibition detailing the political and penal history of the prison and its restoration.

The tour of the prison includes an audio-visual show.

Onwards to visit Trinity College & the Book of Kells.

Afternoon meet with the Artane Band and enjoy a joint concert performed together in Dublin City Smock Alley Theatre

The Banquet Hall is beautiful and impressive with an ornate plaster work ceiling, plastered walls and stained glass windows from the theatre’s time as a church. There are wooden floors and oak tables and benches. Dimensions are – width 13M, length 25M, height 6.2M. The space is versatile and easy to change – ideal for conferences and launches – events where larger capacity is required.